The MXT-R will ditch the MXT’s Ford-sourced Duratec four-cylinder engine in favor of the Blue Oval’s more potent 2.0-liter EcoBoost mill. This same engine is found in the Ford Focus ST but in the MXT-R the turbocharged and direct-injected engine will be tuned to deliver close to 285 horsepower.

Visually setting the MXT-R apart from the MXT will be a sports body kit based on the design planned for the MXT race car, which itself will likely be called the MXR. Key components will include an aggressive front splitter and a new rear wing.

Otherwise, the two cars will be much the same, which means a standard five-speed manual transmission and mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Mastretta is reportedly keen to keep the MXT’s day-to-day liveability even with this hardcore model.

Mastretta’s new MXT-R is still in the final stages of development, in fact the car on show at the Autosport International will be a prototype, so availability and pricing are yet to be announced.